x has won an appeal to block parts of California's content moderation law, which requires social platforms to publish policies against hate speech and misinformation, as well as submit semi-annual reports on their enforcement efforts. x-corp-v-bonta?responsive=1&title=1″>The federal appeals court decided on Wednesday that the informational aspect of the law likely violates the First Amendment, since x-wins-pause-on-california-social-media-anti-hate-speech-law”>Previously reported by Bloomberg Law.
In the lawsuit, filed against California last year, x alleged that the state’s social media law violates free speech because it “forces companies like x Corp. to express themselves against their will.” A California judge later denied x’s request for a preliminary injunction against the law, arguing that the requirement to report enforcement of the law does not appear to be “unjustified or unduly burdensome in the context of First Amendment law.”
The appeals court reversed that decision, saying the law’s requirements are “broader than necessary to meet the state’s purported objective of requiring social media companies to be transparent about their content moderation policies.”
In a statement to Bloomberg LawCalifornia Attorney General Rob Bonta's office says they are “reviewing the opinion and will respond appropriately in court.” In the meantime, x.com/GlobalAffairs/status/1831421767560393057″>x called the decision a “victory” for the platform and “freedom of expression throughout the country.”
